Current Cardiology Reviews - Volume 18, Issue 6, 2022

Cardiac troponin molecules (cTnI and cTnT) are the most valuable and in-demand biomarkers for detecting various types of myocardial damage (reversible and irreversible, ischemic, inflammatory, toxic, etc.) in current clinical practice. These biomarkers are widely used for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and risk stratification of patients suffering from a number of cardiac (such as myocarditis, heart failur Read More

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, particularly cardiometabolic, seem to be associated with heightened severity and increased morbimortality in patients infected with the novel Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A thorough scoping review was conducted to elucidate and summarize the latest evidence for the effects of adverse cardiac metabolic profiles on the severity, morbidity, and progno Read More

Introduction: Exposure to air pollution is a recognised risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has been associated with supraventricular arrhythmias. The effect of air pollution on ventricular arrhythmias is less clear. This scoping review assessed the effects of particulate and gaseous air pollutants on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies assessin Read More

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, resulting in premature death and disability. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockers, including Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs), are used as first-line antihypertensive therapy to treat hypertensive patients with comorbidities, including diabetes, ischemic hea Read More

Background: Paravalvular Leak (PVL) refers to the retrograde flow of blood in the space between an implanted cardiac valve and native tissue. These are unfortunately but luckily relatively uncommon complications of prosthetic valve replacement that, especially when moderate or severe, have important clinical consequences. Objective: Addressing PVL requires a multidisciplinary team to properly diagnose this process and Read More

Introduction: Despite the convincing epidemiologic association between smoking and vascular disease, the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which smoking initiates and contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis remain incompletely understood. A precise dose-dependent correlation has never been demonstrated, suggesting that the biological relationship is complex and influenced by individual genetic and possibly enviro Read More

Background: Diabetes is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Patients with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease have even higher mortality. The convergence of cardiology and diabetology therapy is an important step in treating patients and advancing research. Results: Major landmark trials and meta-analyses involving Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown dramatic clinical cardi Read More

Syncope is a commonly encountered problem in the emergency department (ED), accounting for approximately 3% of presenting complaints. Clinical assessment of syncope can be challenging due to the diverse range of conditions that can precipitate the symptom. Annual mortality for patients presenting with syncope ranges from 0-12%, and if the syncope is secondary to a cardiac cause, then this figure rises to 18-33 Read More

Introduction: Coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) are one fifth of all coronary lesions and they do not have an optimal strategy for stenting yet. Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) are novel inventions proposed to be the optimal solution. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the role of BRS in treating CBL by comparing it to dedicated bifurcation stents (DBS). Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PR Read More

Background: Reversed Potts shunt has been a prospective approach to treat suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension, particularly when medication treatment fails to reduce right ventricular afterload. Objective: This meta-analysis aims to review the clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic parameters after a reversed Potts shunt in suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension patients. Methods: Six electronic databases were sea Read More

In times of COVID-19 epidemic/pandemic, cardiac patients are vulnerable group with many specific conditions that could aggravate their condition. In this narrative review, we present possible measures adequate in managing cardiac patients in epidemic outbreak. An overview of the role of cardiologists and Crisis Management Team in management of cardiac patients is given. Protocols and measures implemented in COVID- Read More

Introduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is frequently underdiagnosed, and the most appropriate management is unknown, particularly in high-risk anatomical subsets. Case Reports: Two cases of females in their 60-70s with few cardiovascular risk factors or relevant past medical history, who presented acute myocardial infarction, have been presented. Both were submitted to invasive coronary angiograp Read More